The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns both had their seasons unceremoniously come to an end this past week.
Despite being many people’s picks to advance all the way to the Western Conference Finals, neither squad was able to even make it out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
On the Lakers’ side of things, head coach Darvin Ham is out. LeBron James has made his preferred replacement a matter of public knowledge.
As far as the Suns go, many expect Frank Vogel to be ousted as well. Though he is in a slightly less precarious position than Ham, obviously.
In addition to changing coaches, though – both Los Angeles and Phoenix are expected to make personnel alterations as well.
This week, a trade was proposed that would send Kevin Durant to the Lakers. As noted by Fadeaway World, L.A.’s best offer to the Suns for their future Hall of Famer would feature “D’Angelo Russell (sign-and-trade), Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Max Christie, 2029 First-Round Pick, [and a] 2030 First-Round Pick Swap.”
Los Angeles, in turn, would receive Durant.
“The trade deal bringing Kevin Durant to the Los Angeles Lakers alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis instantly forms a formidable Big Three, positioning the Lakers as prime championship contenders,” the report noted.
As for the Suns, what they would get out of this is a more complete roster.
“The re-tooling of the Phoenix Suns around Devin Booker and Bradley Beal aims to address the team’s shortcomings following their disappointing first-round sweep to the [Minnesota] Timberwolves,” the report went on to say.
“Recognizing that having three All-Star scorers didn’t yield the desired results, the Suns opt to streamline their roster by focusing on two primary scoring threats surrounded by a supporting cast of defenders and size.”
Will the Lakers and Suns ultimately make a move centering around Durant this summer? Time will tell. It seems unlikely now, but in the NBA anything can happen.
